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Royal Marine shot Afghan national at close range, court martial hears Royal Marine shot Afghan national at close range, court martial hears
(about 1 hour later)
A Royal Marine on active duty in Afghanistan shot dead an injured Afghan national who had been captured, a court martial has heard.A Royal Marine on active duty in Afghanistan shot dead an injured Afghan national who had been captured, a court martial has heard.
The serviceman, known only as Marine A, shot the man in the chest with a pistol at close range during an incident in September 2011, the court was told.The serviceman, known only as Marine A, shot the man in the chest with a pistol at close range during an incident in September 2011, the court was told.
The commando stands accused alongside two other servicemen, known as Marines B and C, of murdering an unknown captured Afghan national on or about 15 September 2011 contrary to Section 42 of the Armed Forces Act 2006. They each deny the charge. The commando stands accused alongside two other servicemen, known as Marines B and C, of murdering an unknown captured Afghan national on or about 15 September 2011 contrary to section 42 of the Armed Forces Act 2006. They each deny the charge.
The three Marines were hidden from view of the public gallery of the courtroom by the use of a screen – although the judge, Judge Advocate General Jeff Blackett, and the seven-strong court martial board could see them.The three Marines were hidden from view of the public gallery of the courtroom by the use of a screen – although the judge, Judge Advocate General Jeff Blackett, and the seven-strong court martial board could see them.
Prosecutor David Perry QC told the board at the Military Court Centre in Bulford, Wiltshire, on Wednesday that Marine B filmed the incident on a camera mounted on his helmet.Prosecutor David Perry QC told the board at the Military Court Centre in Bulford, Wiltshire, on Wednesday that Marine B filmed the incident on a camera mounted on his helmet.
Perry said: "The murder took place in Afghanistan, the murder took place on September 15 2011, and the murder took place when the three defendants were on active service. Perry said: "The murder took place in Afghanistan, the murder took place on 15 September 2011, and the murder took place when the three defendants were on active service.
"The prosecution case is that Marine A used a pistol and deliberately shot and killed the unknown man."The prosecution case is that Marine A used a pistol and deliberately shot and killed the unknown man.
"The man had been captured or detained following an earlier incident in which he had been wounded by gunfire. "The man had been captured or detained following an earlier incident in which he had been wounded by gunfire. He had been wounded by gunfire that had been fired from an Apache attack helicopter.
"He had been wounded by gunfire that had been fired from an Apache attack helicopter.
"Although Marine A used his pistol – firing the gun at close range into the injured man's chest – the case is that Marines B and C were all party to the killing."Although Marine A used his pistol – firing the gun at close range into the injured man's chest – the case is that Marines B and C were all party to the killing.
"The prosecution case in respect of Marines B and C is that they encouraged and assisted Marine A in carrying out the killing.""The prosecution case in respect of Marines B and C is that they encouraged and assisted Marine A in carrying out the killing."
Perry told the court that the Afghan national had been "executed" in an incident during Operation Herrick 14 in Helmand Province. Perry told the court that the Afghan national had been "executed" in an incident during Operation Herrick 14 in Helmand province.
"It was not a killing in the heat and exercise of any armed conflict. The prosecution case is that it amounted to an execution, a field execution," Perry said. "It was not a killing in the heat and exercise of any armed conflict. The prosecution case is that it amounted to an execution, a field execution," Perry said. "An execution of a man who was entitled to be treated with dignity and respect and entitled to be treated as any British serviceman or servicewoman would be entitled to be treated in a similar situation."
"An execution of a man who was entitled to be treated with dignity and respect and entitled to be treated as any British serviceman or servicewoman would be entitled to be treated in a similar situation."
Perry said the Afghan had been seriously injured by gunfire fired from the helicopter, which he described as a legitimate operation.Perry said the Afghan had been seriously injured by gunfire fired from the helicopter, which he described as a legitimate operation.
The court heard that an air balloon, known as a PGSS, was in use for observation over the incident area at the time. The court heard that an air balloon known as a PGSS (Persistent Ground Surveillance System) was in use for observation over the area at the time.
Perry alleged that the Marines came across the injured man in a field, with Marine A saying: "Move him to a place where we cannot be seen by the PGSS."Perry alleged that the Marines came across the injured man in a field, with Marine A saying: "Move him to a place where we cannot be seen by the PGSS."
The court martial continues.The court martial continues.
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